Winter Pageant

Redmoon Theater's annual show has always been long on whimsy and spectacle--puppets, wild costumes, people on stilts, etc--and short on story. This year's production, about a kingdom where the giant who lifts and lowers the sun every day gets sick, ushering in winter, starts off strong and establishes a satisfying mythic resonance. It's packed with interesting characters (the gentle giant, a potbellied king, an alienated punk princess) and lots of delightful and inventive visuals, including a wonderful contraption that raises a huge paper sun. But an hour seems too much time to spend on such a gossamer story. Fifteen minutes before the show was over kids all around me started to get restless and I caught at least one daddy snoozing. Even the most inventive puppet effects, like the giant X-ray machine (made to X-ray the giant, of course), can't make up for a plot that drags. Through 1/2: Wed-Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 5 and 7:30 PM, Sun 2 and 5 PM. Sun 12/12, noon and 5 PM only. No shows Fri-Sat 12/24-12/25 and 12/31-1/1. Redmoon Central, 1463 W. Hubbard, 312-850-8440, ext. 111. $10-$15; $50 noon Sun 12/12 (includes "gourmet picnic" and children's activities).